“Yes, after the bowling, we wandered around down by that arena area and found that delicious burger place. No one was there, so we thought it wouldn’t be good, but it was the best.”
He kissed my neck and it sent a shiver right through me. Then he placed a kiss behind my ear and removed his hands from my eyes.
“I couldn’t get the exact ones, obviously, but come and sit down and we’ll eat. Burgers, chips, and beer.”
I turned to poke his ribs. “Always thinking about food.”
His stomach growled at that moment, and we both laughed.
“That sounds like perfection.” I grasped his hand in mine, wrapping my fingers around his. He lifted our joint hands and kissed my knuckles and kept hold of me until we got to the table. I sat down and looked around. “Carter, this is, it’s wonderful. How did you—?”
He tapped my nose. “Now, now, I’ve got to keep some secrets. Sit down.” He put a plate in front of me and it had one of those special covers they had in hotels. He whisked the top off like a magician revealing a new card trick, then sat down across from me and smiled a little cheekily. Like I remembered from before.
“Less traffic and annoying people around at this restaurant.” I winked at him and took a bite. “Oh, this is delicious. Thank you.” I took another bite and noticed he wasn’t. “Well, eat yours.” I glanced up and he was looking at me, almost shyly. “Okay, you’re freaking me out a bit. What is it?”
“Nothing, just that I’m glad you’re here.” Carter bent to eat his own food. The noises he made bordered on erotic, but I knew this wasn’t about that. This was about getting to know each other again. We had time now.
“You never choose anything over food,” I remarked.
“Fine.” He picked up the burger and took a gigantic bite out of it. When he placed it on the plate again, half was gone.
“Okay, if you can say my name right now, I’ll give you a million pounds,” I said, knowing there was no way he could with his mouth full.
Once he swallowed, he said, “I don’t need any money when I got you.”
I gawked at him with one eyebrow raised high, and cocked my head to the side. “What? Who? Who are you? Where’s the noncommittal Carter I know?” I joked, but was actually nervous.
Carter walked around the table and tugged me up to face him. Wrapping his arms around my shoulders, he pulled me in close. “Jamie, don’t joke like that, okay. I’m with you now, and since you came back into my life I think I always wanted to be, I just never fully realized it. And yes, with the amount of flak I’ll get from Marshall and Stuart, I probably shouldn’t say this, but I’m all in.” He put his hands on my cheeks then and brought me in for a kiss that was gentle yet took my breath away.
Taking a step back, I was brought back to when I’d joked with them about being homebodies. And in this moment I knew that it wasn’t a negative thing, in fact, far from it. I’d be more than content to spend a night in with Carter. Thinking back, I realized, it just depended on finding the right person.
Amid my daydreaming, I hadn’t noticed the music come on again. Something unfamiliar this time played in the background. Carter cleared his throat. “May I have this dance?” It was a slow song and just as he held his hand out to me, I remembered. It was the last song of the night at our prom.
While we had both danced with the girls we went with, I had looked up at Carter at the exact moment he caught my gaze across the dance floor. And in those long three minutes, I’d kept my focus on him and pretended we were dancing together. That we were closer, touching.
My hand tightened around his and under the lights, we danced—holding one hand up and the other staying on his hip. Moving slowly, I could lean my head on his chest.
“Do you remember?” he said above me and his throat sounded gravelly. “I wanted it to be you I held close, you know.”
Looking up at him, I saw his eyes mist over. “Me too. But this is even better.” As the music surrounded us, we swayed back and forth, both lost in our own thoughts, I supposed. The thought of how wonderful it was to hold him now was all that was on my mind.
The final notes of the song echoed in the large room. He held me long after it finished, and I never wanted this feeling with him to end.
“Wait here and close your eyes.”
“Okay, since I don’t know really where Stuart brought me, I think it’s safe to say I’ll still be here when you return.”
“Ha-ha, very funny. Be right back.”
I could sense him scuttle off but that was about it. Then he returned and instructed me to open my eyes. I did what he asked and saw that he held a black box in his hand. I thought I was gonna pass out. No, it couldn’t be. I loved him, but I wasn’t ready for that. A proposal. Oh shit.
“It’s not a proposal, Jamie. Calm down.” He walked me over to the table to sit down, obviously fearful that I’d faint or collapse. “A gift.” He handed it to me, looking shy. “Open it, go ahead.”
I took the box and removed the lid. Inside was a chain with a Disney castle on it. Not identical to the one I’d given him, but almost the same. “I … oh my god, Carter.” I put it down and jumped up on him. Maybe not the best idea as he almost toppled backwards. Luckily he was able to stay upright and he grabbed my ass and gave me sloppy kisses as I tried to kiss him back. Eventually he put me back down.
“It’s not the exact same, but I wanted you to have one too,” he mumbled and put his hands in his back pockets.
“I love it.” I pulled it out of the box and placed it round my neck. It dangled down just below my chest. I put my fingers on it, rubbing it. “But when … how could you? I mean, it was only yesterday we, ah … I asked you.” I really didn’t want to dwell on it but now it was out.
He looked at me bashfully and was trying to avoid the subject. “Glad you like it.” He pulled his out from under his V-neck shirt. “I’ve kept this gift from you for years. You once asked me why I still had it. Jamie, that time with you, it was the best of my life. But I never thought … I kept it to remember that time, never thinking I could find it again. You make me so happy, and yes, I’m terrified, but what’s most important is that you make my life better in every way.”
I hugged him tight. “We’re both bound to screw up but as long as we have each other, we can make it. Anything that’s bothering you, tell me. And if you want to meet up with an ex, I’ll plan the jealous attack on him in secret.”
His laugh boomed around the room. “Point taken. Although, I haven’t been with anyone since we started again. And I don’t want to. Don’t worry, Jamie. Nothing, no one has been like it is with you. And I, ah, bought you that gift back after our day together. Also known as ‘Jealous Jamie Day.’”
I punched him playfully. “Fine, fine. How long ’til you let me live that down?”
“A few years at least.”
“Okay, well I’ll think of something to return the favour and do the same.”
“It won’t take you long to think of something.”
“Ha-ha. That’s true.”
He pulled me into his lap and I felt so content. When he wrapped my arms around mine, he nipped at my ear and I snuggled into him. “The big question is,” I said, looking at him, “when do we tell Marshall, Stuart, and Damien. Because the jibes and teasing will be never ending.”
“Marshall knows. So I guess Stuart does too. He helped me with this.” He pointed around the room. “Actually, what time is it? I had to agree to meet them at the bar later no matter what happened. Good or bad. That Marshall knows how to drive a hard bargain.”
I stretched over the table to where I’d put my phone when I sat down earlier. “It’s almost 7:00 p.m.”
“What ya say. Come with me? We can stand together for the third degree.” He kissed me and I marvelled at this perfection between us after all we’d been through. “And plus, I’d rather friendly jibing than you not taking me back, you know?” Carter looked down, not meeting my eye.
I moved his face up an
d kissed him, putting every ounce of emotion into it. “Carter, I’m the one who’s glad … you came to your senses.”
“Oh god. I’m really stuck with you now, aren’t I?”
“Afraid so.”
“Okay, you’ll have to get off me so I can text Marshall.” He made an over exaggerated “ooof” sound when I moved.
I moved to sit beside him and held his hand. It was little and so inconsequential and yet it meant the world to me.
22
CARTER
Walking into the bar with my arm round Jamie’s waist made the world a better place. Even in my head that sounded corny. I was still scared I’d screw up, worried I wasn’t enough for him, but I was focussing on how I felt when he was near. How we felt together. Everything was better with him around; I needed him and wanted him. Everything else would fall into place.
“Uh-oh, do we need to put you at opposite sides of the table?” Marshall said.
Stuart piped up then. “Why aren’t you growling?”
Damn them. But I couldn’t help but laugh. I was laughing and smiling more than I had in a long time. “Very funny, guys. I’m saving that for the bedroom.” That shut them up pretty quick.
Jamie sat down and I squeezed in beside him. He gave me a quick kiss and then Damien was there and he seemed to feel the need to applause. It was sweet actually.
“On the house, darlings. This calls for a celebration. How about the Dame Onyx special concoction I call the Oral Onyx.”
Jamie reached across me trying to slap him, but I found it hilarious. We didn’t really know each other well yet, but I pulled Jamie back and told him, “Two please. They sound divine.”
“Oh, I like him,” I heard him say as he walked away.
“You do realize we’ll probably both be passed out in an hour after one of these ‘concoctions.’”
I leaned into him, taking in his scent and whispered in his ear, “It’s okay, I can tuck you in later. Might even include a bedtime story.” The blush that crept up his neck and cheeks was something else.
Eventually I noticed Stuart and Marshall’s smug looks as they stared across at us. I merely stuck my tongue out at them as any mature person would do.
“Get a room already.” Marshall joked, then gave Stuart a long kiss.
Damien came back with our drinks and sat down at the end of the table. “So? Tell us the juicy gossip. Who blew …”
Jamie and Stuart both somehow clasped their hands over Damien’s mouth. “How many of these have you had already?” Stuart asked him.
“What? I’m just asking what you’re all thinking. I’m the forthright one of the group.”
Laughter erupted at the table. The sound was infectious, and as I looked around, I was happy to be a part of this group. “You think?” Stuart said sarcastically. “If there was an award, yes, you’d get the gold star.”
He put his hand on his heart, trying to look affronted. “Darling, I’ve been this way since you first knew me,” he said and took another sip of his drink. If I had to guess, I thought he must be on at least his fifth.
I took a sip of mine and listened as Jamie told them the story of coming into the warehouse—or being rudely dropped off by Stuart. He glossed over the part prior to that, and as I listened to him tell it, I smiled. Then I saw his face light up when he showed them the chain, and it brought me so much joy.
After more chatting and me eyeing up Jamie as he kept his hand on my thigh, wanting to keep me close, I could feel myself get harder behind my jeans. “Well, boys, it’s been great, but we’re going to get an early night.” I hadn’t exactly discussed it with Jamie, but I wanted him. Wanted to tell him something too.
He didn’t complain and looked quite happy to be leaving. As we said our goodbyes and I stepped ahead of him, I had to rearrange myself in my pants. The thought of making love to him, of telling him I loved him should have been daunting, and maybe it would be, but at the forefront was my desire and longing to give every part of myself to him. For him to do the same for me.
We got a cab to my place. I hadn’t even thought to check that was okay, but he nibbled on my ear and whispered that he couldn’t wait to get inside. I pulled him to me and kissed him deeply.
His lips were debauched looking and his pupils dilated. “That kiss. I think if you asked me to eat whipped cream off you, I would. And I hate whipped cream.”
“That could be arranged.” I winked at him and we got out of the cab. An overwhelming sense of calm washed over me as I squeezed his hand tight in mine. He smiled over at me.
We ran the few steps up and into my flat.
23
JAMIESON
“That time at the bar was like intense foreplay for me,” Carter said.
“For me too.” I thought he would disappear if I didn’t continually touch him.
The moan that escaped me sounded erotic even to my ears and I inhaled deeply.
“Should we have a hot shower,” Carter asked. The words came out quickly as if he was nervous.
I listened to the rain outside. The wind sounded like it was picking up. I didn’t say anything about his nervousness, instead focusing on the now and enjoying each other.
Pulling me into the bathroom with him, he turned on the shower and we stripped out of our clothes as the room became steamy. While the water cascaded over us, I took the body wash off the shelf but Carter grabbed it from me then poured some into his own hand.
We both seemed to have come to some understanding and no words were needed. I lifted my arms up to show him I’d let him take control. “I’m all yours, Carter.”
He rubbed the body wash everywhere across my skin. My breathing came in shallow gasps when he reached my trimmed pubic hair.
I could sense every touch as Carter worked methodically and slowly. While I wanted him to hurry up, I enjoyed the moment.
“Like that?” He looked up at me from down near my abs. As he moved up, he stroked my half-hard cock and moved to kiss my neck. Having his touch like this, at our pace, was so foreign and yet so perfect.
As he cupped my balls, a fully-fledged shiver overtook my body. I had no way to stop it and then I let out a whimper as my orgasm caught up with me. I looked down to see the come swirl down the drain.
All at once, I was overcome with emotions. I leaned into Carter’s embrace as he whispered, “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” I couldn’t look at him. It was too overwhelming. Still under the warm water, I moved to make more room for him.
“You, your turn.”
Carter had the ability to read me like a book and knew I couldn’t return the favour. Instead, he grabbed a towel from the hook behind the door, then handed it to me and pushed me out. “I’ll get clean and be right out.”
I swaddled the towel around myself as if I were a five-year-old with his blanket and waited. I should have moved but I couldn’t. I hadn’t expected to feel so touched. We’d fucked plenty of times before but I knew this was different. Steam swirled around the small bathroom and I tried not to feel panicked, claustrophobic.
Carter came out and took my chin in his thumb and forefinger. “Look at me,” he said in a serious tone, though I didn’t have much choice in the matter. “We have just over a day until you go, and we’re going to enjoy every moment of it.” He moved my head to nod it himself.
“Wha …”
He stopped that line of questioning with a kiss. “You are mine. And I am yours.” Embracing me in a hug, I leaned into his touch.
He took me over to the couch and placed me down gently. I lay on my back and Carter grasped my wrists. When I looked up into his eyes, I saw happiness and light sparkling in them—the true Carter. A sharp coldness hit my chest and I let out a squeak. When I noticed the pendant dangling from his neck that I’d given him all those years ago, I quickly wriggled one of my wrists from Carter’s loose hold to make sure my own was there.
Usually Carter was clean shaven, but I loved the little bit of stubble that had grown in. As he bent to
kiss me, I lifted halfway and licked at the seam of his lips. He positioned himself with his arms at either side of my head, and we fit perfectly together—well, if you ignored that his legs were sticking over the end of the couch.
He wiggled around a bit more and then continued to kiss me—a languid, deep kiss unlike any other. I pushed my hand through his hair and touched his ear. “So handsome,” I murmured.
“Careful or my ego will become inflated,” he told me. “But keep talking.”
“Become? Seems like it’s already well and truly blown up.” I moved my hands to make a huge ball-like shape. I sat up and gave him a kiss.
24
CARTER
As we cuddled under the soft throw blanket, I was feeling a mix of anxious anticipation and excitement. Washing him in the shower had been intoxicating and wonderful, but my mind was on making love to him, to be honest. I hadn’t done anything close to that since … well, years ago when I was with Jamie. And back then we were still learning, fumbling along.
I took a deep breath as he squeezed my thigh. But this was Jamie. My Jamie. It would all be okay.
Jamie had put on the television and it was dark and cozy even with the rain outside. Not much light filtered in. “This is the best. Just like being at the movie theatre,” I said.
“I agree.” He leaned over to kiss me and when he put his thumb on my bottom lip, I bit down on it lightly. Still encased in the covers, I pulled him over to straddle me, then leaned up to kiss the edge of his mouth. My hands wandered to his ass and I grasped the round globes.
He moved up and I could feel myself getting harder.
“I need to taste you.” Jamie shuffled down my legs and pulled down my sweatpants. I had never felt so alive, so right. I nodded in reply.
My cock bounced out and up towards my abs. “Ah, if I come fast, just don’t use that against me.” I held up my hands in surrender.
Carter (Mayfair Model Series Book 2) Page 17